News
Sunday, April 08, 2012
Sindh to seek other provinces’ help on Thar coal project* Strategy finalised for energy conference to be held in Lahore
By Razzak Abro
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah presided a high-level meeting at Chief Minister House regarding "Energy Conference" to be held in Lahore on April 9.
Secretary Power Department Ms Rabia Javeria Agha presented detailed briefing regarding energy conference and issues. Various options regarding Thar coal, energy project and Hydel projects were also discussed.
According to an official handout, it was informed that total shortage of power was 7000 MW, resulting 10 to 16 hours load shedding, while due to increasing demand of gas, there was shortage of gas and the provincial industry and other factors totally depend on gas. It was informed that Sindh province was producing over 70% gas in the country but in the larger national interest, the Sindh province does not insist on fulfillment of its needs and demands.
The secretary power also gave details of subsequent meetings held at Islamabad, which formed three groups on different subjects and those groups finalised recommendations to meet the challenges, while issues were discussed.
The chief minister was informed that the Sindh government had cleared all financial liabilities of HESCO and except current billings, there was no any liability in this regard, as all billing and financial disputes have successfully been reconciled. The chief minister said that the provincial government has focused power generation through gas and had emphasised conservation of electricity with its effective use, as the demand of power had increased.
He said that until and unless there were new options, we would utilize the available options in befitting manners. Shah added that Sindh province was facing acute shortage and need of power with the result; process of investment had badly affected.
The chief minister added that there was big potential of coal in Thar area and with our collective efforts, we would generate 10,000 MW power up to the year 2020, which would be enhanced later. Shah emphasised that Thar coal project was a project of Pakistan, which was firstly identified by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and she had called it Black Gold of Pakistan. He informed that the present government was working speedy on the project and we were expecting full support and cooperation of federal government in various schemes particularly installation of transmission line, railway line etc.
The chief minister also stressed upon other provinces to extend cooperation and assistance for Thar coal project. He added that there was potential of wind energy in Sindh province and we could generate 50,000 MW energy.
Later, Sindh Secretary for power informed that the work on formulating the new power policy was in progress and the new power policy would be announced soon. She said that under new power policy, two Hydel power plants would be installed in the province for which financial support will be arranged.
The business community placed their observations and demands, and presented a copy of letter to Chief Minister Sindh which had been sent by Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry to Prime Minister of Pakistan.
According to contents of the letter, the businessmen community has strongly criticized the agenda of Punjab Government regarding energy conference.Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk